“Containers for Change” (see: https://www.containersforchange.com.au/qld/) allows you to deposit your empty eligible containers and key our Scheme ID so that the funds will go directly into our Donations Account with the Westpac Bank.

This is part of a fundraising initiative for "Polonia" spearheaded by an emerging young leader of our community, Gabriella Lauf.

“Polonia” Scheme ID. C10480616

• Input the code on the screen before starting to feed the empty containers.
• Funds will be directly banked into our Donations Account.
• iPhone users and Android users can save our Scheme ID (C10480616) to their mobile wallet.
• If you don't have WalletPasses installed or Apple Wallet installed, you will need to download it from the Play Store or App Store.

Thank you for generously supporting “Polonia”

Since its election in April, the Management Committee has been honoured with your support and pleased that Polonia’s membership has grown to such an extent that we have passed a major milestone… from around 40 members at the AGM to 308 currently, thanks to our active membership drive. This is a great result in such a short time.

Do you think we can reach the next milestone of 500 before the AGM? Hopefully, we do and that our growth as the Polish community in this part of the world is quite sizeable. We have also built some extensive networks that not only love our cultural connections and appreciate our delicious cuisine but also support us by becoming Associate members.

We were touched by the generosity of those who heard our call to help save Polonia and felt moved to make a contribution to our current fundraiser, either to Polonia directly  or through the “GoFundme” https://gofund.me/7f13950c page or through booking tickets at  one of the planned events https://www.trybooking.com/BSFYP. With two events already booked out (this past Saturday’s “Zabawa” event at Polonia and the upcoming event on the Gold Coast) and a few more already on the calendar schedule, our lives are being enriched by regular get togethers, networking and supporting our community to grow.

Donations have passed the $75K mark and continue to grow. The list of donors is available at: List of donors (polonia.org.au). Keep a close eye on our Facebook page for the latest news and promotions: The Polish Club | Facebook.

As a committee, we are exploring new ways to expand the opening hours of Polonia as well as reviewing what the Club can offer its members, hence your requests for extending the restaurant’s opening hours and hosting more club and social events are being considered within the current capacity of the Club.

Most recently, we welcomed Paweł Krawczyński to the Management Committee. Paweł helps drive Polonia’s social platforms and brings a wide range of marketing skills and expertise to the team.

It has been wonderful to see so many of you dining at Polonia over the past two months. With the current COVID regulations, it is important that you book ahead to help us manage the restaurant’s and bar’s capacity within the guidelines. This is especially important if you are planning to visit on Fridays.

Our latest news is that freshly baked pączki (from “Ugly Duckling Caterer”) will be available for dine in or take-home purchase on Thursday nights, commencing Thursday, 24th June!

Before we totally indulge ourselves in delicious meals and traditional baking, the focus of the Management Committee has been on refinancing the critical loan – there are only a few more weeks before we need to issue a note of intention to pay off the debt.

This focus has involved working with an accountancy firm to develop a Business Plan and develop financial forecasts for the next year. In particular, the Committee has focussed on growing turnover through the bar, restaurant and events so that Polonia becomes financially viable once again. We have also been reviewing operations and implementing operational improvements.

We have commissioned two editors to work on the long-awaited return of the “Biuletyn” newsletter and the next issue will be published in July. We are certain there is a brighter future ahead!

Last weekend, we welcomed Zabawas back to Milton, with fundraising event organised by Wisla’s team. The place was pumping with happy vibes, great atmosphere, full of life and joy as well as beautiful flowers! Well done to all involved and thank you for Wisla’s special gift to Polonia – mega-size cheque to the value of $5000, supplemented by further income from raffle and ticket sales. Wisla’s generosity has helped improve Polonia’s donation drive!

The upcoming Market Day on 3rd July will give our venue a good workout so make sure to drop in and support all of our stall holders: the big ones, the small ones and the new ones!

Please venture upstairs for a meal or drink as the restaurant and bar will be open from 10am. We will also be accepting new membership applications in the Office upstairs, and the Library will be open for browsing and borrowing Polish books.

It is a pleasure to meet and talk with our members, their families and friends as they enjoy the Club’s facilities. It is an honour and privilege to hear so many stories of the experiences of their loved ones and their families at Polonia over time. Polonia has been, and will continue to be about people, their stories, their descendants and all who came here during the past decades and called this place home.

People have reminisced about old times: Annastacia Palaszczuk running around the corridors of Polonia with other children in her folk dress, the regular performances of Polish youth and dancing groups, some legendary Zabawy, Seniors playing chess, the pool table room and the conversations of the players as they awaited their turn. Some point to their families’ names on the wall plaque commemorating those who had a vision and passion for Polonia in the past - thanks to their efforts, it is still here for us to enjoy today.

Right now we are walking the same pathway - it takes a vision, passion and a heart to create a better future for this place that brought so many generations together. 

As someone beautifully said to us, “if the place’s walls could speak, they would share the joy, the laughter, the happy moments of many who made this place their cultural home. And we, with a sense of pride, are bringing these moments back and creating new memories for ourselves and our dear ones.”

In the spirit of this comment, the Management Committee is striving to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere and to reinvigorate Polonia as the cultural hub of our community, so that we can all continue to create memories that will inspire future generations.

We have overcome a difficult period and there are many lessons to be learned from the past two years. We must never lose sight of how precious Polonia is and take an active part in the life of the Club, to preserve our heritage and build an even brighter future for Polonia.

At the AGM later this year, members will have an opportunity to nominate for election to the next Management Committee, hence we encourage everyone to consider nominating for a position – it is only through active participation that Polonia can continue to prosper. We also need volunteers to help with staffing sub-committees and organising events, so please let us know if you can help in this way.

We look forward to welcoming you to upcoming events and we will continue to share additional developments over the coming weeks. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. I look forward to seeing you at Polonia!

Kind regards

Waldemar Duda

President

We need your help! See below for details on how to donate.

“Polonia” Polish Association of Queensland Inc, trading as The Polish Club Milton (“Polish Club”), is in dire need of financial assistance to save the club for our community. We, the members, are currently conducting an urgent fundraising appeal to assist the Polish Club to pay off a number of unpaid debts and a loan incurred by the past Management Committee under the leadership of former President, Alice Langford. A new Management Committee has taken over following the 2020 AGM held on 6 April 2021.

Most urgently, the Polish Club needs your help if it is going to be able to repay the 6 month, high interest loan of $150,000 from a private lender, which is due in early September 2021. This loan was incurred without disclosure to the membership. Failure to repay the loan will result in a forced sale of the Milton clubhouse property. That would be the end of a much-loved community asset, one of Brisbane’s last three remaining legacy ethnic clubs!

We welcome all manner and amount of donations, and donors are formally acknowledged on our website (www.polonia.org.au), unless a donor prefers to remain anonymous. Donors who commit $1,000 or more will join the ranks of “Club 200”, and will receive a special acknowledgment of their generosity.

Payments can be made by bank deposit at any Westpac branch or online funds transfer to the following dedicated account:  

Account name: “Polonia” Polish Association of Queensland Inc.

BSB: 034072

Account Number: 321095

Important:

  • Please write your initial(s) and surname in the Reference/Description field so we can identify the incoming payment.
  • Please forward a confirmation of payment by email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by surface mail to: The Treasurer, Polish Club, 10 Marie St, Milton QLD 4064 so that your donation can be formally recorded and a receipt issued.
  • Be sure to provide your full name and contact details so we can respond. If you would prefer for your donation to be anonymous, please let us know.

Note: At this time the Polish Club is not a registered charity and does not have Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status – therefore, donations are not tax deductible.

Thank you for your generosity in this difficult period for “Polonia” as we work to revitalise the Association and restore it to its intended function as a vibrant ethnic club serving the community of Brisbane and surrounds. Membership is open to all, not only those of Polish nationality or origin.

If you are not in a position to donate, we encourage you to support the Polish Club in other ways including visiting our restaurant and bar, attending events at the club, and the monthly Market Day. Check the Polish Club’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/polishclubmilton) for details!

It is that time of the year - time to renew your "Polonia" membership!

Kindly make the appropriate membership fee payment according to the fee structure outlined below:

$55 Couple (complete separate forms & send them together)

$33 Single

$33 Pensioner Couple (complete separate forms & send them together)

$22 Single Pensioner

$22 Associate Member

$22 Student Member (over 18 years of age)

Please make your payment online or at any Westpac Bank.

Account Name: “Polonia” Polish Association of Queensland Inc.

BSB: 034072

ACCT: 321095 

  • Write your initial and surname in the Reference Line so we know who the payment is from,
  • So that we can rebuild our membership database, kindly download the Membership Application, complete it and email it with a receipt of payment to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • You will be advised by email when your membership card will be available for collection from Polonia. 

Thank you for supporting "Polonia"!

https://www.polonia.org.au/images/PDFS/Update_regarding_the_financial_status_Polonia.pdf